Bruce Willis' wife says it's 'hard to know' if actor is aware of dementia diagnosis

Bruce Willis' wife has given an emotional status update on her husband's life with dementia.

Emma Heming Willis appeared on Monday's episode of Today to discuss her spouse's condition, elaborating on her analysis of the 68-year-old's dementia as a "family disease" because of its impact on everyone in their lives — including their young children, Mabel and Evelyn.

"It was important we let them know what it is, because I don't want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad's diagnosis or any form of dementia," Heming Willis told Hoda Kotb, who pressed her on how she and the family processed the 2022 diagnosis.

"I think it was the blessing and the curse, to finally understand what was happening so that I could be into the acceptance of what is. It doesn't make it any less painful, but just being in the acceptance, and just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce just makes it a little bit easier," Heming Willis said, referencing Willis' initial diagnosis of aphasia eventually progressing to frontotemporal dementia.

"Does he know what's going on? Is that something he is aware of?" Kotb asked, to which Heming Willis responded: "It's hard to know."

Heming Willis added that it's important for her to "look up from the grief and the sadness" so she can see "what is really happening" around her, including savoring the compassion the ordeal has inspired in her children. "It's teaching them so much and how to care and love and it's a beautiful thing amongst the sadness," she concluded.

Willis' family — including ex-wife Demi Moore and children Rumer and Tallulah Willis — have given regular updates on the Die Hard actor since he stepped away from Hollywood last year.

Watch Heming Willis' interview on Today above.

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